Marvelous by Molly Greeley

A historical blending of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and the true accounts of a boy given to Henri II's court and dubbed "Monsieur Sauvage" due to his being covered in hair from head to toe. Stolen from his home and renamed Petrus ,he had a position in the court but was considered by many to be little more than an exotic pet. Catherine De Medici married him to a destitute young woman hoping to breed more hairy children which actually happened. What no one expected was that Petrus's wife grew to love him and the children. While they lived under the protection of the court they were also considered property and could be disposed of at will or made to leave with no where to go. Through the passing of monarchs and religious upheaval Petrus and family did escape to live out their days in a bit more peace but with the overhanging fear of strangers. Another fine example of the cruelty and barbarism of people (in power and not) who fear and condemn what they don't understand. A solid choice for readers of French courts and Early Renaissance life as well as A YEAR OF WONDER and THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT.
​4 stars